Meat-chopping machine



(No Model.)

P. E. SHIRK.

MEAT GHOPPING MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 6

JJVVEJVTUR WI TJV' ESSES NiTe STATES BaTnNT @Trice PETER E. SHIRK, OF BLUE BALL, PENNSYLVANIA.

MEAT-CHOPPING MACHiNE.

.SPECEFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,222, dated April 6, 1886.

Serial No.191,383. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER E. SHInK, of Blue Ball, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Meat-@hopping Machines, of which the following is a specitoation.

This invention relates to that class of chopping-machines in which the rotary choppingblock is used in connection with a series of rising and falling knives actuated by cams; and it consists in various minor considerations hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure l represents a top plan view of my machlne. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal and vertical section of the same on the line a: x. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the springarms and connections for depressing the knives. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view ofthe ehoppingblock and its driving-gear.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A represents a hat bed or table provided, if' desired, with lugs or otherwise, also provided at one end with upright standards c, and near the oppositeend with an upright postor pivot, b, also with rollers c, to support the choppingblock B, which is seated thereon, as shown, to revolve about the pivot b. Beneath the block there is seated a worm-wheel, C, snstained independently of the block by the central pivot, and arranged to engage with studs or pins projecting downward from the block for the purpose of imparting motion thereto. This worrnwheel engages with and is driven by a worm, D, on one end of a horizontal shaft, E, which is seated in bearings on the frame and provided at the outer end with a l its extreme simplicity, and because it permits sprocketwheel, F.

In suitable bearings on the standard a, I mount a horizontal driving-shaft, G, provided at one end with a sprocket-wheel, H, from which motion is transmitted through a chain, I, to the sprocket-wheel F, to effect the rotation of the chopping-block.

To a cross-bar or plate, l, which is secured to the upper ends of the standards a, I pivot a series of horizontal parallel arms, J, each of which is provided at its distal end with an adjustable knife, K. The arms are provided on the under side with shoulders d, acting on cams L, secured on the driving-shaft G, as shown in the drawings, the arrangement being such that as the shaft is rotated the cams will lift and release the arms in succession, thereby raising the knives and permitting them to fall upon the block.

In order that the knives may be caused to act with more or less force, as required, Iconnect each arm J by a cord, M, with an elastic arm or spring, N, located beneath the table. The series of springs Nare secured at one end of a horizontal rock-shaft, O, provided with a rigid handhaver, I, which engages at one end with a rack-bar, Q. By depressing this lever the tension of the springs N and the force ofthe knives may be modified.

For the purpose of securing uniformity of motion I propose to provide a second shaft, R, bearing at one end a iiy-wheel, S, and at- -the opposite end a pinion, T, engaging with a large spur-wheel, U, on the main shaft. By moving the shalt R or its pinion endwise the {1y-wheel may be disconnected.

.It will be observed that under my construction the chopping-block is adapted for removal independently of the worm -wheel. This is important in that it avoids the dif- 1 cnlties which are commonly encountered when the gear-wheel is attached to the block and removed therewith, and prevents disagreeable contact by the operator with the lubricating n1aterial,with which the gear is usually covered.

I am aware that knifearms lifted by cams have been connected by spiral springs to a rod adjustable by a hand-lever, and this I do not claim.

My construction is advantageous because of Vand the locking device for said lever.

2. In a meat-chopping machine, the combination of the fixed upright pivot b, the series of rollers e, the wornrwheel encircling the pivot andsusminedupon tl1erol1e1s,theworm hand this 1st dey of October, 1884, in the and the removable chopping-block seated upon presence of bwo attesting witnesses. the Wormwheel, and provided with the eentral hole to receive the pivot and with the 5 stud to enga-ge the Wheel, as described and Witnesses:

shown. GEO. H. RANCE,

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my JACOB E.Y HULER.

PETER E. SHRK. 

